And though Beckenbauer says he would be disappointed to see Kroos exit the club, he understands the appeal for the player to join the European champions.

"As honorary president of Bayern I regret his departure. If he is going we will have lost a player of absolutely world class quality," said Beckenbauer to the official German Football Federation (DFB) website.

"But there is also a future in his career. This can be an experience abroad and going to a club like Real Madrid is priceless."